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20-year-old sues Dick's, Walmart over new gun policies

Citing the recent shooting at Stoneman Douglas School in Parkland, Florida, the sporting goods retailer announced that it would no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Citing the recent shooting at Stoneman Douglas School in Parkland, Florida, the sporting goods retailer announced that it would no longer sell firearms to anyone under 21 years of age. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Posted: Mar 05 2018 08:53PM PST

Updated: Mar 05 2018 09:01PM PST

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An Oregon man filed suits Monday claiming Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart discriminated against the 20-year-old when they refused to sell him a rifle.

Oregon law allows residents to buy shotguns or rifles starting at age 18.

Tyler Watson's lawsuits filed against the retailers in two separate counties claim he faced age discrimination from Dick's and Walmart, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported . The lawsuit is believed to be the first filed over the new gun policies enacted on Feb. 28.

The lawsuit claims a store owned by Dick's Sporting Goods in Medford, Oregon, refused to sell Watson .22-caliber Ruger rifle on Feb. 24. The suit says Grants Pass Walmart in Oregon refused to sell him a gun on March 3.

It's not clear if Watson knew at that point of the restrictions.

"He was really just trying to buy a rifle," said his attorney Max Whittington.

Watson is asking judges to force Dick's and Walmart "to stop unlawfully discriminating against 18, 19, and 20 year-old customers at all Oregon locations." Additionally, he is asking for unspecified punitive damages.

Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove said the retailer plans to defend the new policy.

"We stand behind our decision and plan to defend it," he said. "While we haven't seen the complaint, we will respond as appropriate with the court."

A representative from Dick's hasn't responded to a request for comment.